By Melissa Hayes
Tybee is cool and all, but sometimes locals may want to ditch the tedious beach gear and kick back beside the sparkling blue waters of a pool. Even better if said pool comes with luxurious hotel amenities and a bartender who knows how to mix a mean peach margarita.
This summer, you can have all this and more at The Alida without the bothersome matter of arranging an overnight stay. The boutique property allows non-guests to reserve day passes to hang out at their saltwater wading pool and enjoy all the effortless vacation vibes that come with it.
Picture it: Savannah, Summer of 2021. A family of four have reserved a pool cabana at The Alida. Everyone sleeps in that day knowing that where they’re going, there will be no fighting over parking spots, no umbrellas in need of standing, no sandwiches requiring assembling, or coolers in need of packing. They leisurely drive to downtown’s entertainment district where The Alida awaits – chic, warm, and welcoming. A helpful valet attends to the car while the family make their way through the lobby and up to the pool deck. The kids, propelled by the sight of pool floats and cornhole boards, take off to play. The parents navigate the spacious deck to their cabana shaded by wooden privacy slats and soft, white curtains. They settle in on the cabana’s plush, L-shaped couch, craft cocktails in hand. A great day is had by all.
It’s uncommon for hotels to allow non-guests into their pool space in this way, but The Alida’s vision has always included the Savannah community. From spotlighting local artists to preserving historical elements to crafting community events, The Alida strives to celebrate the essence of Savannah culture and hospitality. This includes maintaining thoughtful spaces and dining concepts meant to receive visitors and locals alike, and families are always welcome.
With that in mind, The Alida’s pool menu includes adorably-named mocktails that will make kiddos feel special like the Bikini Bottom mocktail, blending coconut and pineapple; a raspberry lime concoction called Razzle Dazzle, or the Shark Bait Ooh Ha Ha with sprite and blue ocean syrup topped with a shark gummy — adult non-drinkers will love these, too!
click to enlarge Photo courtesy of The Alida
Guests and locals enjoy the pool at The Alida.
Cornhole boards and cozy fire pits surround the deck, and on select days, The Alida books a groovy DJ to keep visitors of all ages vibin’.
“The Alida is luxury and upscale, but it’s approachable and fun at the same time,” said General Manager Michael O’Shaughnessy. “Families are really important to us at the Alida. Especially after Memorial Day, we have a lot of families that will stay at the property, so we want to make sure that we take great care of the kids. I have a couple of kids, and I feel when we go away, if the kids are welcome and get special attention, it just makes the whole experience a lot better.”
For grown ups, the cocktail menu features summery classics like icy piña coladas or strawberry daiquiris, but perhaps the most standout cocktail on the menu is the Georgia Peach Margarita refreshingly blended with tequila, agave, and lime.
Sunbathers can nosh on savory delights like focaccia topped with roasted local mushrooms and boursin cheese drizzled with garlic oil. Or there’s the toast everyone loves most, avocado toast, sprinkled with feta, walnuts and fresh greens on sourdough. Need something with a little more oomph to soak up the zingy cocktails? Grab a hearty Rhett burger with two smashed beef patties or a Reuben with roasted turkey and sauerkraut wedged between slices of marble rye.
A few things to keep in mind when planning your Alida daycation: weekends are generally more lively with better music and the greater likelihood of a DJ appearance; the pool bar is only open on weekends, but you can still place food and drink orders for pick-up from Rhett on weekdays. If you’re on a budget - or want a quieter experience - play hookie from work and book a weekday visit. A weekday pass is $19 per adult or child if you plan to soak up the sun from a chaise lounge or $99 if you prefer to indulge in the canopied luxury of a cabana. Cabanas come equipped with complimentary water and fruit. On the weekend, standard day passes rise to $40 per adult and $20 per child or $200 for a cabana. Cabanas are intimate and can comfortably accommodate up to four people.
The Alida is located at 412 Williamson St. Make a reservation for your family’s pool day at resortpass.com/hotels/the-alida-hotel.